To my readers, I apologize for the lack of updates on the previous story that had been in the works, A Chosen Path. Due to unforeseen circumstances, that particular story has been scrapped and redone in my own fashion this time. Hopefully this time, the story will be better and will provide you with entertainment. I will be more consistent with updates as well, as I am enjoying writing this version FAR more than the previous one using the DFC system. I hope you enjoy the story, and do tell me what you think!

On with the show!


The night was deep, the space thick and cloying within confined walls. No light dared reach so far into the unhallowed space, leaving the atmosphere dark and devoid of any sign of life. Echoes of water droplets could be heard resonating against the smooth stone that encased the small room, yet the area within remained untouched by moisture; the altar that stood raised on a platform of steps stood silent as it had since being placed, but offered no respite from the overwhelming sense of malice that teased through the stale air.

Quite suddenly, the relative silence was broken by the sudden scream of a woman in pain. The sharp notes of agony resonated harshly through the empty halls, disturbing nothing and yet everything within. A sickly green glow appeared on the steps beside the stone altar on its pedestal, illuminating the sole two figures who had dared entered the once silent tomb. A masked figure stood looming over the one knelt below, his large hands wrapping firmly around the their neck. It was she whom was screaming, her choking cries only growing as the light burning into her throat flared more brightly.

The acrid scent of seared flesh soon filled the space around them, though neither of them seemed to notice. The woman in pain opened her eyes with great difficulty, staring up at the figure who gave her such agony - a tall human man cloaked in robes of black lined with silvery white, his upper face hidden by an eerie mask while the lower showed lips that belonged to one who had just hit his younger prime years. Despite the pain, she did not fight; if anything, she allowed herself to scream louder as if in defiance, to show that she would not be stopped by such an act.

After a few moments more of the torment, the man released his spell and took a firm step back. As a puppet cut from its strings, the woman fell to the stone steps below with a low groan. Her hands reached up to clutch her neck where a strange green mark now glowed ominously, tears rolling down smooth skin to drip to the cold surface below her. She welcomed the relief it offered her, the breath coming rapidly in and out from between parted lips as she sought to regain her state of mind. The man did nothing and said nothing, merely watching as she slowly pushed her hands below her body, righting herself with a tremendous effort. The metallic taste of her own blood filled her mouth, and she let out a racking cough that grated against her ears in the now restored quiet of the room. Another moment and she pressed on to rise to her feet, stubbornly refusing to allow her trembling legs to hinder her any further.

Her tormentor watched as the shorter woman stood before him, a slow and cruel smile turning his youthful lips upwards to create a haunting picture coupled with his mask. He nodded once to show his approval, a gloved hand raising as if to beckon her closer but instead flicking towards her neck as the light from the spell began to fade.

"Well done. You have endured that more readily than others before you."

The man's voice echoed in the enclosed space; the deep tones would have resonated in almost a hypnotic way, if it weren't for the cold chill that seemed to lace the undertones. Others who heard it would have likened it to the voices used by the undead denizens of the world, that strange double tone that marked one as not one of the living, but the man was very much alive.

The woman seemed to ignore the praise, instead spitting to the side to rid herself of her own lifeblood to ensure her ability to speak.

"I have done what you wanted of me. Now keep your word, and tell me what I wish to know!" she demanded, her voice hoarse and cracking from the tension she had placed on it by crying out in her pain.

She heard the masked man shuffle for a moment in the inky darkness, only to be blinded a moment later as a tiny mage light appeared in a raised hand. Her vision blurred as she fought to keep upright, and her head shook wildly as eyelids blinked to refocus. More details could be seen with the use of the ball of magic, and she could easily pick out the shaggy, yet well-kept hair that framed the black and white mask of the man before her. His clothes were well-kept and very well made, showing that he was not shy about using coin to procure tailored goods for his use.

A gloved hand appeared from the dark cloak that shrouded his body, palm facing towards her as the motion to be silent was used.

"Now is not the time," he said simply. "To face a blade as sharp and as well crafted as he you must first hone your skills, least you forsake all you have worked for."

The hollow eyes of the mask bored down at the woman, the soulless sockets peering as if into her very being.

"You are not ready to face him."

The woman snarled, her flat human teeth flashing in the dim illumination of the tiny magelight. Bright green eyes widened in defiance, and she took a menacing step forward towards her opponent as her long red hair seemed to come alive with her anger.

"I am more than prepared to face him! I have gone through everything you have requested of me, obeyed like a dog to its master, and yet you still seek to deny me? I am not a puppet to be used; you swore you would help me attain my revenge for what he has done to me!"

Another cold smile appeared below the mask, this one showing almost a hint of pride. Infuriated by his demeanor, the woman reached to her side where a blade lay sheathed, removing it from its resting place and charging forward with a furious cry as she swung directly for his exposed neck.

In an instant, she felt that they were no longer alone. Two large men appeared as if from the shadows themselves, their shrouded bulk blocking her way as she found twin sets of spears pointed directly to her neck. Her blade rested just touching her antagonist, his skin barely moved as he watched the proceedings with an air of amusement. His smile turned stoic, and he pressed forward against her blade as if it were not there.

At the action, the two newcomers eased themselves from their places. The spears they held disappeared back beneath the dark brown cloaks they wore, the clink of metal could be heard distinctly rustling beneath the fabric. The woman started in shock as she realized that though they had moved, her body was refusing to follow her commands; her mind screamed at herself to move, to take action now that the way was clear, yet she remained frozen as if she were a statue. She became aware of a burning sensation upon her throat, and saw the now familiar green glow of her new mark illuminating the man's lower face; fear threatened to engulf her as she realized that she was being controlled, much like the puppet she had mentioned before.

A thoughtful hum rumbled from the man's throat, and he pressed into her sharpened sword a little more. Against her will, her arms moved to slice more deeply into his skin, and she gasped as his flesh seemed to part. All at once her body was released from the invisible strings holding it back, and she was unable to stop herself from finishing her delayed attack. Her body whirled about as she fought to regain her balance, green eyes wide in shock and fear as she tried to process what had just happened. Her back was turned to where the man had stood, and she dared not turn to see the consequences her actions had wrought.

A moment passed in silence before a voice resonated around her, causing the on-edge human to jump at the sound.

"Such unruly behavior for a lady. No matter...you will learn to obey in the end."

The sound of wood falling to the stone floor behind her echoed in the still air, and she felt full control returned to her traitorous limbs as her slim body relaxed. Without hesitation she turned on her heel to look behind her, seeing no one there; confusion flit across her expression as her gaze darted about, looking for the body she had sure would have been there.

Instead of a grisly scene, the sharp eyes of the woman came upon a neatly folded pile of clothes, on which lay a mask identical to those worn by the two men who remained in the chamber with her. Her brows furrowed in question, turning her head to try and pinpoint where the voice had come from. Her answer came, but her benefactor remained hidden from her view.

"Take them, and keep your new 'companions' close by. The time will come, and I will summon you when everything is ready."

The man's deep tone reverberated against the stones, fading out into the darkness as if he had never been. Lips thinned as the woman knelt to inspect her gift, her fingers lightly running over the surface of the ominous mask. She lifted it with a gentle grip, only to tighten it as her eyes flashed with the determination to see her vengeance wrought.